Many Governments in Southern Africa have made a decision to undertake a Single Window project as a measure towards improving the country’s trade facilitation initiatives, whereby trade related information and/or documents need only be submitted once at a single entry point. The blueprint for a national single window includes increased system accessibility and user-friendly functionality, improved data access, and security all built upon a foundation of internationally harmonized and standardized data. Benefits for Government A Single Window will lead to a better combination of existing governmental systems and processes, while at the same time promoting a more open and facilitative approach to the way in which governments operate and communicate with business. Traders will submit all the required information and documents through a single entity. Effective systems will be established for a quicker and more accurate validation and distribution of this information to all relevant government agencies. This will also result in better co-ordination and co-operation between the Government and regulatory authorities involved in trade-related activities. Benefits for trade The main benefit for the trading community is that a Single Window will provide the trader with a single point for the one-time submission of all required information and documentation to all governmental agencies involved in export, import or transit procedures. As the Single Window enables governments to process submitted information, documents and fees both faster and more accurately, traders would benefit from faster clearance and release times, enabling them to speed up the supply chain. In addition, the improved transparency and increased predictability would further reduce the potential for corrupt behaviour from both the public and private sector. If the Single Window functions as a focal point for the access to updated information on current trade rules, regulations and compliance requirements, it will lower the administrative costs of trade transactions and encourage greater trader compliance. The Single Window will additionally act as a 18 Draft SADC Customs ICT Strategy 2012 Page 18